Rio Ferdinand has urged Thomas Tuchel to drop either Declan Rice or Elliot Anderson for England's final World Cup group game against Panama. After a disappointing goalless draw with Ghana, England must win Saturday night's match to ensure they qualify for the knockout stage as Group L winners.
Ferdinand's midfield concerns
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Manchester United and England defender said: 'If we play Anderson and Rice in midfield, we’re not a team that can control a game or do quick transitions through the pitch because I don’t think that’s their best assets. They’re great at retrieving the ball and stopping. We saw some great stuff, especially Anderson, in terms of turnovers and winning the ball back and then setting us off again. But being able to get the ball off the back line and transfer it through the team, precisely through the lines, into the more dangerous areas of the final third, those players, that’s not their first call and their best attributes as players.'
Mainoo as the solution
Ferdinand believes Kobbie Mainoo should be given a chance. 'Who do we have to do that? I thought, especially in the group stages, Kobbie Mainoo was one of the players who could come in and do that because his ability to beat the press first and then play or dribble through the press is better than Declan and Anderson because that’s part of his game.' Mainoo, 21, enjoyed a productive second half of the season at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick, earning him a spot in the World Cup squad, but he is yet to play a minute in North America.
Dropping a star
Starting Mainoo would mean dropping either Rice, who has been nursing an injury, or Anderson, who just secured a record £116 million transfer to Manchester City. Ferdinand admits he 'doesn’t know' who he’d currently bench. 'Before a ball was kicked, I would have played Rice as the holder, and I’d have played Kobbie Mainoo alongside him and the one to be able to transfer the ball,' Ferdinand added. 'You got to look at past tournaments as well. Kobbie Mainoo’s best football that he’s played in his whole career was at Euro 2024 on the international scene. He was our best player then. He was getting likened to Clarence Seedorf, one of the best players of a generation. Certain players suit international football and by that I mean international football plays at a slower pace for most of the game. Who can switch pace of the game either running with the ball or passing it through the lines? Kobbie Mainoo is that guy. He can do that. He’s proved it in national level. Declan Rice and Anderson are great at other parts of the game, but their games are too similar.'
Alternative with Bellingham
Alternatively, it has been suggested that Jude Bellingham drop deeper into midfield, allowing another attacking midfielder, likely Morgan Rogers, to come into the line-up. Ferdinand does not oppose this idea, adding: 'All through his career, he’s played in various different midfield positions. He’s a Swiss Army knife. He can do any of those jobs. If you want him to hold, if you want him to be an eight, if you want him to be a 10, he can do all of them. And I think he can do all of them equally as good.'
What's at stake
England play Panama in New York New Jersey on Saturday, with kick-off at 10pm UK time. Victory should ensure that the Three Lions top Group L, but a draw would also be enough provided Ghana do not beat Croatia.
